Chorley

Chorley's population grew between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in religion, housing tenure and marriage.

The population reached nearly 110,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Chorley increased by 6.7%, from about 100,000 to 107,000.

The addition of about 6,700 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Chorley was home to, on average, 3.8 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Chorley

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Chorley increased by two years, from 39 to 41 years.

This affluent area had a higher average age than the North West and remained slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 4,100 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 2,000.

About 13% of people in Chorley are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Chorley by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Chorley

The percentage of Chorley residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.2% to 4.1% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 13 (7.4%) reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 7.7% in 2001. The percentage of Chorley residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 3.7% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Chorley

The number of people in Chorley that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 84,000 in 2001 to just under 81,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 84% to 75% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the North West (from 78% to 67%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in Chorley that described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 9,100 in 2001 to just over 18,000 in 2011 (from 9.1% to 17%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation increased from just under 5,700 to just over 6,000. Both of these figures represented about 5.6% of the total population at the time of the 2001 and 2011 censuses.

Just over 1,100 people (0.6%) said they were Muslim, up from about 650 in 2001 (1.1%).

The population who identified as Christian in Chorley decreased by 8.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Chorley by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Chorley that rented privately increased from 4.8% to 10% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) households lived in social housing, compared with 14% in 2001. The percentage of Chorley households that owned their home decreased from 79% to 75%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Chorley increased by 5.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in Chorley, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing relationships in Chorley

The percentage of adults in Chorley that were married decreased from 55% to 50% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over 3 in 10 (30%) people aged 16 and over said they were single, compared with 26% in 2001. The percentage of adults in Chorley that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of married people fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 50% in 2001 to 45% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 51% to 47%.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

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